One fine morning, India woke up to the news of famous Bollywood stars involved in killing of the Black Buck and the Chinkara. With this news, the nation not only came to know about the two unique endangered animals but also about the protagonists for nature – the Bishnois.
If not for the Bishnois and their reverence for nature, this incident would have never made it to the headlines. The nation took notice of this erstwhile peace loving tribal community that challenged the reigning stars and ensured that they were thrown behind the bars.
The Bishnois are considered as the first environmentalists of India. They are born nature lovers. They have, for centuries, married eco-conservation with their faith, making it one of the most ecologically relevant orders of today. Reverence for nature and all forms of life is what makes them a true ‘BISHNOI’.
Bishnoism is said to have started in 1485AD by Saint Guru Jambheshwar in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. Long before the world came to know about the environmental crises, Bishnois have been cognizant of man’s relationship with nature and the importance to maintain its delicate balance. It is remarkable that these issues were thought about, half a century ago by Bishnoi visionaries. No other religious order has given this level of importance to environment value, protection and care.
Not many people know that the concept of Tree Huggers and Tree-Hugging, have roots in the Bishnoi history. The famous ‘Chipko Movement’ was inspired by a true story of a brave lady called Amrita Devi Bishnoi who refused to let the kingsmen cut the trees. Her head was severed. Seeing their mother lay down her life for the trees, her daughters clung to them. Their heads were severed too. Agitated by the happenings, the neighboring village folk clung to the trees, as the massacre continued. More than 300 people were killed for non-obeisance and for trying to protect the trees. When the king came to know of this, he was ashamed of his mistake. He apologized to the Bishnoi community, ordered to stop felling the trees and hunting of wild animals in Bishnoi areas and punished those who transgressed his orders. This sacrifice not only inspired the “Chipco Andoloan” by Sunder Lal Bahuguna but also the Government of India in the form of “Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smrithi Paryavaran Award” for contributing to environment conservation.
The Bishnois are one of the first organized proponents of eco-conservation, wildlife protection, and green living. With their ideals steeped in basic 29 religious tenets, the Bishnois and Bishnoism are very relevant to our evolving world.
To unite people on a common platform, Guru Jambheswar Ji advised 29 principles to become a Bishnoi. The word ‘Bishnoi’ stands for BISH (which means 20) and NOI (mean 9) derived from these 29 principles out of which 6 principles are dedicated to environmental protection and compassion for all living beings.
Of the 6 tenets that focus on protecting nature, the two most profound ones are:
Jeev Daya Palani – Be compassionate to all living beings.
Runkh Lila Nahi Ghave – Do not cut green trees.
Though these rules have been made centuries back, they still hold good and are more than relevant to the environmental problems faced in today’s world.
Bishnoism is the most practical and do-able order that lays emphasis on protecting the gifts of God – the nature. Since the religion is based on love, peace, respect for life and non-violence, it proponents harmony amongst trees, animals and human beings – a perfect ecosystem.
The Bishnois are rightfully called the first environmentalists of India. They have given more to nature in comparison to what the entire country would have contributed so far. In spite of living in the arid desert regions for centuries they have been following the dictates of their religious principles. A cursory look at their lifestyle is a very humbling experience.
- Bishnois do not cut green trees and are compassionate to all living beings.
- The Bishnoi settlements are made from material gathered locally and most eco-friendly measures are taken to build their abode.
- They do not fell trees. They only collect dead wood. Even a carpenter waits patiently for the tree to fall.
- Deers, Black Bucks, Peacocks, Blue Bulls, Chinkaras, are some of the animals that you would find roaming around their settlements. Because of Bishnois and their commitment to protection of nature, many animals have survived this long. Nowhere else would one find a perfect marriage of all forms of flora and fauna.
- Long before Rain Harvesting concept caught fire, to combat the severe drought and water shortage, the Bishnois build water storage tanks that can collect and store rain water. This water is not only for humans but animals too.
- Bishnois oppose to their religious tradition of cremating the dead. To avoid wastage of firewood, they bury the deceased.
- Though a religious sect, the Bishnois do not believe in unnecessary rituals, idol-worship, caste system, etc., but continually lay emphasis on compassion, love, and peace, thereby firming their foundation for love for Mother Nature.
- To minimize the use of green trees, they use cow dung cakes as fuel for cooking.
- One of their principle tenets “Amar Rakhave That” – means to provide shelter for abandoned animals so that they can live the rest of their life with dignity.
There are many more such humbling facts and practices of the Bishnoi way of life. We are forced to stop here and give it a serious thought. A tribal settlement, living in harsh conditions, struggling to make a living, would still want to protect and preserve the resources that could have been exploited as a key to their prosperity. The Bishnoi community is a standing testimony of fanatical fervor for life.
While India is trying hard to educate the masses on environmental protection and eco conservation, this small and modest community that has surpassed the biggest of economies by virtue of it simple approach to life.
The Bishnois do not tolerate destruction of flora and fauna by unnatural means. They are very protective of their surroundings and are known to be violent in course of its protection. There is a saying that if you are a hunter, the worst thing that can happen to be caught by a Bishnoi while on Shikhar. With law and order coming to force, the Bishnois are not sparing any threat to the environment. They have been fighting court cases, poachers, and any threat to the environment they cherish.
If not for the Bishnois, the Black Buck and Chinkara, which come under Section 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act, supposedly getting the highest degree of protection by the state, would have had vanished like other species,. Salman Khan or Mansur Ali Khan of Pataudi – the Bishnois spare nobody.
It is heart-warming to notice that the younger generation of Bishnois is slowly taking over the reigns of protecting the Earth in their own ways. We are optimistic that this new generation, armed with increased environmental consciousness and mass support for eco conservation will be successful in preserving the priceless treasures of this world.
Amen!
(Image Credits: ‘Tree Hugger’ by Bill Davenport)
Good article. Lot of valid information. Worth reading
Article is awesome. Countries boasting themselves as developed/developing should read, observe, practice and succeed in implementing the practices of Bishnois. Good sence of perspicacity in the article. Poor fact is we have useless faineant politicians, to make them better understand the arcanum of peaceful mankind.Do post more of this kind..kudos to u..
Amrita Devi said these words before laying her life for the trees…
Sar santey rookh rahe to bhi sasto jaan
(If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s head, it’s worth it)
Awesome article.
There is something about the fonts on this page which I need to put in…. The article’s font is too small (in my opinion) for me to read. If I’m not wrong, its font size is 2 points less than the side panels. Got it… it seems my Opera (browser) is not displaying the fonts correctly.
Secondly, this article needs one more small image between the first one and the end of the article. Sort of keeps the reader attracted.
Other than that, the page is awesome… easy to load for dialup users and without any clutter.
Good job!
I think you should add Adsense and Kontera codes into the pages, so that the money earned from the ads can pay off your hosting expenses at the least (at a later point in time 🙂
Excellent effort to bring the reality in focus of a common man, Who do not give a thought to such realities and drive away with misleading presentations of media and politicians.
Bishnois should be protected and supported to make their nature friendly effort, Universal!
Its rightly said “Aude Sapere” – Dare to be wise. Bishnois nature of being wise to their own understanding to save nature is true and rational. I would request every human to come together, put our efforts and walk hand in hand with Bishnois to save our motherland.
A moving story of Amrita Devi who was willing to sacrifice her life for mother nature, if everyone posses such love for nature, we are bound to be beyond comparison. Thanks for bringing out such facts.
Worth reading. The article throws light to the nature friendly life style of the BISHNOIS. Hope this makes us feel guilty of what we have done worthful till now to earth/preserve nature.
AVE NATURE
AVE BISHNOIS
AVE TREESOULS
AVE ISHRATH
An excellent article-well done dear friend.
Just an observation I made while living in Wales/England. The ancient and magical magnetism of trees spans the globe. The Celtic race worshipped trees with great fervor and revered them as the highest order of living beings giving them Divine Stature. Their Tree Calendar is only one the great examples of how much respect, love and passion they had for this most magnificent of all structures! Our friend, soul-mate and ancient philosopher- The Tree.
Many many other cultures (recent and ancient) share this devotion and it is now our duty to carry on this duty with most sincerity. A concept we should all try and innoculate and conceptualize is the sense of responsibility. ‘The living planet’ is our child, we are the care- takers or when needed ‘tree-doctors’.
Peace to all,
Soul-Fire
Thank you all for the comments.
Sethuraj: Thanks. Your points are noted. As far as Google ads go, we did initially toy with the idea and had them on the site. But they are way too irrelevant and distracting. They do not add any value to the site. Additionally, it is very distracting for the user. So we removed them. For now, let us have an undisturbed reading experience… till the ad programs work better.
Soul Fire: Very true! Celtic’s reverence for trees goes way back to the ancient ages. As a source of food, shelter, fuel and more, the tree was central to their existence and therefore revered. Not only did the trees provide material resources but was also considered to connect with the spirits and deceased ancestors, as a doorway to the supernatural world.
Amazing thought!!!
Our good old ‘Oak Tree’ was considered as the center of the world and therefore the most sacred of all. One of the most famous images of a tree with the branches reaching up to the heavens and their roots reaching underneath is their visual work of art. That imagery is still so vivid in my mind and says many untold stories.
As you had written earlier, trees are indeed living entities with infinite wisdom. I cannot imagine how one can have heart to mercilessly chop an old tree down. I really wonder what is going so wrong with our world now that every living treasure is at stake.
The groves were God’s first temples.
– William Cullen Bryant, A Forest Hymn
Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
– Kahlil Gibran
Ishrat, loved your input and thank you!You’re a gift to the world.
Prakash, you have cited one of the most beautiful verses ever written by Khalil Gibran…what can be more truer, more purer than our Mother; Earth and our Siblings; the Trees.
Destroying them is like choking the life essence of our very core- our ancient family-‘Nature’.
Love you all and blessings,
Ansul/Soul-Fire
2008
This is very good article published and have correct information as I am from that place and these values start from my childhood from my parents to save and protect animals and I can see infront of my house in Village I can see Deers and peacocks and other animals move without any fear. As Bishnoism is vegetarian by culture. Currently I am stayinmg at Hyderabad , India but I do visit my Village once in year and I see things still same in terms of protecting animals and tree’s.
Bhanwar,
It is so heartening to hear from you. We all have so much to learn from your community. May God bless you and all of you for the wonderful soul work.
Ishrath.
No one can beat this artical. Human being should learn from this type of important News.
This is not only to know but to be an honest environmentalist all should think before doing somthing about nature (plants and animals), And also a large group should speak together while negative impression creating to the nature.
Thanks for the good article.
For more details about Bishnois or Bishnoism, please visit the web site
http://www.Bishnoism.com
Regards
RK Bishnoi
Delhi, India
This is very good article and i want that truth know in all over india nokha(bikaner)is the good place for these animals deer,peacock etc.they safe only near bishnoi villages.28000 bishnoi living in 25 villegein nokha consitvance and good holiy place SAMRATHEL DHORA is in nokha on this place guru JAMBHESWER make 29 rules and bishnoism.now they going this eco and treesouls and save animals way.. we can see Deers and peacocks and other animals move without any fear. now all Bishnoism is protecting animals and tree’
Thanks for the great article. Myself Ramesh Bishnoi, from Jodhpur & Khejarli village (place where this event occured) is part of Jodhpur district.
More information on Our Guru “Shri Jumbheshwar Bhagwan” can be found at my following website i.e. http://www.geocities.com/rc_bishnoi/guru.htm. Also all 29 rules of BISHNOIs are available (highlighted in different colours) at http://www.geocities.com/rc_bishnoi/29_commandments.htm
you have cited one of the most beautiful verses ever written by Khalil Gibran…what can be more truer, more purer than our Mother; Earth and our Siblings; the Trees.
omprakashdhaka@gmail.com
vishnoi omprakash dhaka
mast h …
I was unnkown about the bishnoi community .. But after going through this article i came to know about their love for nature and passion to protect the enviornment. Though I am forester , helpless to protect enviornment.Thanks for good article.
Really it a wonderful narration of the true love story of mankind and it signifies an eco- criticism which associate man to nature with more lasting and enduring bonds. I am extremely pleased to read this and find it relevant in the postmodern milieu of the world . Guru jambhaji is the only light to the world to dismantle the darkness of the people of world who have imblanced the ecolgy to a destructive extent . OM VISHNU VISNU TU BHAN RE PARINI , KAIRE MURKHA TA JANAM GUMAYO .
Everyone above this comment boast about how cool the article and the Bishnois are but how many of us even implement it. We forget about such important things and conceive more of sensless stuff.However Kudos to the person who has delivered such a wonderful article……..Thank You!!!
;l;
It was a great joy in reading this article. Bishnoi is way of life, this should be adopted by people of all religions as the demand of time – to save the mother earth from devastating effects of global warming. This is only possible, if we learn to co-exist with the creations of nature may it be trees or wild animals.
There is hard fact about Bishnois that protecting nature and animals, their economic condition has gone down forcing them to drift from the mission . The ground reality may not same as potrayed as there has not been any support for this oldest non- governmental initiative to protact environment .
Lets get together to make it global movement .
Go to bishnoism and follow 29 rules
well written.keep it up
Go to bishnoi samratal dhora and follow 29 rules
Bishnoi papil 29 rules thanku
SURESH KAVA BISHNOIS IS 29 RULES THANKEY YOU
We will never forget the sacrifice of Devi Amrita and all 363 peoples…..
Please Stop killing any animal and choping tree, avoid non veg…..
Plee.e.ease Stop killing any animal and choping tree, avoid non veg …..
mind blasting article
follow the 29 rules as a real bishnoi …….
very very good article….what an amazing and evolved community !
my many many regards and admiration
Such a knowledge imparting article. Really good
a great job assigned to my community n all nature loving person r invited to join n work with us
This is very good article and i want that truth know in all over india nokha(bikaner)is the good place for these animals deer,peacock etc.they safe only near bishnoi villages.28000 bishnoi living in 25 villegein nokha consitvance and good holiy place SAMRATHEL DHORA is in nokha on this place guru JAMBHESWER make 29 rules and bishnoism.now they going this eco and treesouls and save animals way.. we can see Deers and peacocks and other animals move without any fear. now all Bishnoism is protecting animals and tree’
I have so much respect for these people.
Hello, i am doing a project on the very fascinating and wonderful Bishnoi. I have to write about:
What problems do they face and their environment face?
What solutions have the Bishnoi come up with because of their religious beliefs?
please, i really need help on those questions, i’ve been looking around the internet for 2-3 hours, and i can’t find anything?
Are there any useful links i could use?
please help!
Thanks
wow what a fantastic article my hw will be completed i loved the way u represented the bishnoi comunity HATTS OFF!!!!
WELL DONE
and last but not the least
THANK YOU